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The Miracle of Miss Willie
Book by Alma J. Yates
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
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85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 22, 2022
I really had to push myself to read this one but when I finished it I was glad I read it. This whole book is very profound and has a deep meaning to it. The way it ended was very sad, but I cant imagine it any other way. I don't think it would have worked. I would definitely read it again too.
August 31, 2019
This was a re-read for me, but it had been so long that it was as if reading for the first time...again.
Three troublemakers that no one wants to have in their classes at church or at school are to begin High School. A new teacher moves to their tiny town and lives across the street from one of the boys. They introduce themselves right away and make a friend in this teacher who hardly looks old enough to even be teaching. They are put into her Freshman English class and she begins to help these three boys realize they want better reputations, they are not destined to fail and realize their potential futures.
Many funny chaotic incidents, struggles and hardships. Such a great book and incidentally the author was my very own Freshman English Teacher.
Three troublemakers that no one wants to have in their classes at church or at school are to begin High School. A new teacher moves to their tiny town and lives across the street from one of the boys. They introduce themselves right away and make a friend in this teacher who hardly looks old enough to even be teaching. They are put into her Freshman English class and she begins to help these three boys realize they want better reputations, they are not destined to fail and realize their potential futures.
Many funny chaotic incidents, struggles and hardships. Such a great book and incidentally the author was my very own Freshman English Teacher.
September 20, 2018
This book to me was a VERY confusing book to me because it is a very old book but overall it was pretty good but not my favorite.
January 6, 2020
I read this to my boys (9 and 7 yrs). They got bored every now and then, but overall liked it
May 15, 2022
Excellent. I bought my own copy before I'd even gotten to the end of the borrowed copy I was reading... because I knew this was one I wanted on my shelf.
September 18, 2022
This wasn’t as good as No More Strangers Please, but it was funny and had a good message.
April 28, 2025
This was such a charming read. We read it as a family and everyone loved it.
May 9, 2025
perfect wholesome book. i cried. feels really nostalgic and genuine. love love loved as a kid and want to reread now tbh
March 7, 2017
A must-read-aloud to your kids. I loved it as an adult as well as when I was younger. One of my very favorite books ever.
March 27, 2011
This was a beautiful story about three "hooligan-ish" boys, BB, DJ, and Jefferson, and the change their English teacher made to their lives.
In the hot town of Snowflake, Arizona, not too much went on. With the arrival of Miss Willie, the boys' lives turned upside down. Miss Willie was young, she was pretty, and she was fun to be around. She didn't mind taking the time to tutor BB, DJ, and Jefferson. In fact, she was the first person that believed in them, that there was more to them than just trouble and disorder.
Through the story we see how the boys gradually grow from rather stupid, unthinking teenagers to young adults that realise life can hold more potential for them than the rest of the Snowflake folks believe.
By the climax of this book, each of the boys have formed such a close bond with Miss Willie that when the book comes to an end, you want to sit beside BB, DJ, and Jefferson, and cry.
A beautiful story. If you have a chance, read it. It will make you snicker, laugh, and cry as though your heart will break.
In the hot town of Snowflake, Arizona, not too much went on. With the arrival of Miss Willie, the boys' lives turned upside down. Miss Willie was young, she was pretty, and she was fun to be around. She didn't mind taking the time to tutor BB, DJ, and Jefferson. In fact, she was the first person that believed in them, that there was more to them than just trouble and disorder.
Through the story we see how the boys gradually grow from rather stupid, unthinking teenagers to young adults that realise life can hold more potential for them than the rest of the Snowflake folks believe.
By the climax of this book, each of the boys have formed such a close bond with Miss Willie that when the book comes to an end, you want to sit beside BB, DJ, and Jefferson, and cry.
A beautiful story. If you have a chance, read it. It will make you snicker, laugh, and cry as though your heart will break.
March 2, 2016
This was a re-read for me. The Miracle of Miss Willie is one of my mom's favorite books. It's a simple story, really. Three boys learn how to be men with the help of one very special English teacher. There are plenty of laughs as the boys pull all sorts of tricks on those around them. What else was there to do in a small town back in the 60s? Then they meet Miss Willie who changes their lives. Although this is fiction, there is a feel to the story that makes it seem like it was greatly influenced by real events. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the author was influenced by a teacher he'd had in school.
A simple, sweet story. It's nice to read a book like this every once in a while.
A simple, sweet story. It's nice to read a book like this every once in a while.
October 3, 2024
September 2024 reading
I have read this book now or had it read to me probably 7 or 8 times. It is not perfect, but it is so, so good. When I was younger I loved it for the humor in it, and now that I'm a resident of Snowflake Arizona I love it for its preservation of my hometown culture as it was back in the day.
I will always love it for the goodness of Miss Willie and remembering the wonderful teacher who first read it to me, Mrs. Jeppson at Carden of Tucson. How fortunate I was to have a teacher inspired by this fictional one!
I have read this book now or had it read to me probably 7 or 8 times. It is not perfect, but it is so, so good. When I was younger I loved it for the humor in it, and now that I'm a resident of Snowflake Arizona I love it for its preservation of my hometown culture as it was back in the day.
I will always love it for the goodness of Miss Willie and remembering the wonderful teacher who first read it to me, Mrs. Jeppson at Carden of Tucson. How fortunate I was to have a teacher inspired by this fictional one!
August 28, 2012
I loved this book!! It took you back in time because YM/YW was referred to as "mutual". I caught myself actually giggling to myself at some of the events that happen in the book. By the end, I had that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you've experienced something good. The way Miss Willie handles the boys so they become men is definitely entertaining. Best lesson I was left with was on integrity and how important it is to each one of us. No one can give you your integrity - it is all about who you are and what you want to be. It was great!!
November 20, 2015
It has been probably 25 years since I first read about Miss Willie, DJ, Jefferson, and BB. This a beautiful coming of age story about these three best friends who learn how to become true gentleman from their teacher and mentor, Miss Willie. Set in the 1960's in LDS dominated Snowflake, Arizona, it does teach lessons about choices, attitudes, integrity, and being true to yourself as well as having a nostalgic feeling of growing up in a small town. Great read.
May 10, 2020
This is a book my husband was exposed to as a pre-teen. He's been wanting me to read it forever, and we finally read it together. A funny story about 3 boys growing up in Snowflake, AZ. I thought it was delightful and it has surprisingly good messages of forgiveness, acceptance of trials, unconditional love, friendship, and repentance.
December 8, 2011
Cute, fast fun read geared towards young Mormons. I think middle-school boys might especially like this book and think it's funny. A group of young men have a coming-of-age when they meet and are influenced by a new English teacher in their Snowflake, AZ high school, Miss Willie. Not a very deep read but it has some good ideas in there about maturation, manners, and how to be a gentleman!
January 19, 2013
I read this book first out of boredom and was so impressed I read it again to my young son. Many times when issues come up I will ask him what he thinks Miss Willie would say. It is a great teaching tool and would probably assist most if not all young men in their transition into adulthood. My son has now ask that we read the book again as a family.
January 9, 2010
This is one if not the one of my all time favorites. It really makes a point on how to raise boys to be great men. TEAR JERKER! If I could give this book five thousand stars I would! You must read it!
October 11, 2021
This is one of my favorite books. Alma Yates is a great story teller. The book is about 3 boys who are always getting into trouble. Then along comes Miss Willie. She believes in the boys and helps them to believe in themselves. And that makes all the difference in their lives.
July 28, 2011
The story of 3 young men who are the terrors of their small town and the teacher who changes their lives. A quick read to remind you of the power of negative choices and how one positive person can influence many.
September 18, 2008
This is a really good story. It is pretty short and a little predictable, but it reminded me to try harder to be a good person.
September 11, 2008
A darling older book about a small town and helping boys turn into men. It made me cry.
August 23, 2008
Such a fun feel good book with plenty of laughs. Great for teens and adults alike. Both for guys and girls! Happy reading!
August 29, 2008
Most people cry reading this one
June 16, 2010
no one writes this way anymore. I learned more about men reading this book. Good story.
March 13, 2009
It was really cute. I was going thru a hard time when I read it, and it helped me to feel better about stuff. I really liked it, but it didn't make me cry, like it usually does for alot of people.
April 22, 2009
This was a great read. It really uplifted me and brought new perspective to some stuggles in my life.
May 11, 2009
I loved this book. It's one of my favorites. It's a fun, uplifting book that you want to read over and over again.
July 3, 2009
This is LDS fiction. Three rotten teenage boys in Snowflake Arizona find a desire to reform when a pretty new English teacher moves in across the street.
I loved this book. Very cute.
I loved this book. Very cute.
August 4, 2009
Such the wonderful book! I think we've all had a "Miss Willie" who saw in us what we could be when we were growing up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews